Sunderman Conservatory of Music
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I am sometimes motivated intrinsically or I may be stimulated by the opportunity to write music that is meaningful for an individual or ensemble. I always place myself in the “listener’s chair” as I begin to draft ideas for a new work. Organizing musical and/or poetic ideas in a logical way can dramatically help draw an audience in as active participants. One should never underestimate the power of a well-crafted melodic line and its ability to stimulate the listeners and performers. Am I then able to add a passel of startling harmonic twists, layered textures, interesting counterpoint and subtle rhythmic variations? These are my aspirations as the process unfolds. |
Composition Library
BAND
Mount Gretna (2006)
Commissioned by PMEA District 7 for its annual Youth Band and Orchestra Fest. In memory of music educator Rodney Miller (1955-2005)
Belair Blue and White (2006)
Commissioned by the Belair (Maryland) High School Reunion Band. Ray Dombrowski, conductor.
Jubilee Day (2003)
Commissioned by the Wildcat Foundation and the Mechanicsburg Area School District. In celebration of the opening of the new Mechanicsburg Middle School. Includes parts for 3 voice choir (SAB), piano and narrator. Dale Hoke and Gary Weber, directors.
Penn Street Green (2002)
Commissioned by the Carlisle Area School District in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Carlisle High School Band. Davie Rohrer, director.
Cedar Cliff Celebration Overture (1999)
Commissioned by the West Shore School District in celebration of the re-opening of the renovated Cedar Cliff High School. David Knott, director.
Dewi's (St. David’s) Day (1995)
Commissioned for the 1996 Adams County Junior High School Band Festival. Based on three Welsh folk songs. John William Jones, director.
Midwinter Overture (1994)
Commissioned by Swatara Junior High School in Central Dauphin School District. Mick Cochran, director.
Kumbla Dances (1993)
Commissioned by the Mechanicsburg Area High School Band Boosters to celebrate its 1994 Fiesta Bowl appearance. Michael Snyder, director.
A Bright Sky (1990)
Commissioned by the Millersville University Symphonic Band. Keith Wiley, director.
Variations On An Ancient Irish Song (1986)
Gigue, loure and fantasy & chorale based on “Be Thou My Vision.”
ORCHESTRA/CHOIR
Caldey Variants (2007)
A theme and variations commissioned by the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra for Metropolitan Opera Orchestra violist Mary Hammann and the GCO.
Meet Me At The Majestic! The Road To Yesterday (2005)
Dedicated to Gettysburg College and the Adams County community. In celebration of the grand re-opening of the Majestic Theater on its 80th anniversary. Orchestra, SATB choir, jazz quartet and narrator. Rob Natter, conductor.
Glory Ridge (2001)
Commissioned by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra to honor the 175th anniversary of the founding of the seminary. A cantata in five movements for chamber orchestra, SATB choir, percussion, and soloists. Norman Nunamaker, conductor.
Wales: Land Of My Fathers (1997)
Three trioedds (triads) for orchestra, SATB choir, soloists, harp, and narrator. A collection of arrangements of Welsh folks songs, hymn tunes and original music from “The Land of Song.” John William Jones, conductor and Beth Phillips Brown, Celtic storyteller.
CHAMBER MUSIC
Blackbird (2007)
Arrangement of the Lennon/McCartney classic for the Aureole Trio's Beatles tribute CD release in 2008. Flute, viola and harp.
I Shall Be Gone (2005)
For Jennifer Myers, Gettysburg College Class of 2005. Clarinet, tenor and piano. On the Robert Frost poem “The Sound of the Trees.”
A Stephen Foster Tribute (1998)
An arrangement of four Foster tunes for 16 mixed winds and strings, soprano and baritone.
Juxtaposition (1997)
For the United State Army Brass Band “Pershings Own.” Captain Timothy Holtan, director. English brass band instrumentation. Orchestration of a 1980 brass quintet.
Promenade and Danza (1995)
For Ann Felter, Gettysburg College Class of 1995. Oboe, bassoon and piano.
Sackbut Sketches (1993)
Composed for the trombone quartet, Die Posaunen.
A Captured Sunset (1975- rev.1992)
For soprano, cello, and piano on the Carl Sandburg poem “Montone.”
Grant Us Wisdom: A Centennial Celebration (1992)
Commissioned by Grace Lutheran Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in celebration of its 100th anniversary. SATB choir, brass quintet and organ.
Rondo For Winds and Percussion (1991)
Flute, 2 Bb clarinets, bassoon, and percussion.
Romanze (1989)
Woodwind quintet.
Summertime (1980)
Arranged for woodwind quintet.
Azul (1974)
Woodwind quintet.
JAZZ
Axiom Asunder (2004) Axiom Asunder review
Four Episodes for jazz orchestra, dance company, choir and narrator – Oceans Apart, Northern Tangents, Coast to Coast, and Groove Machine. Poetry of Langston Hughes serves as a narrative thread. The music traces the development of American Jazz from its early days in New Orleans and as it migrated north to Chicago, Kansas City, New York and the West Coast.
I Saw Her Standing There (2003)
Arranged for the Glenelg (MD) High School Jazz Ensemble. Barry Enzman, director.
Cape Roca (1997)
For Denis DiBlasio and the Gettysburg College Jazz Ensemble. Buzz Jones, director.
The Euro Shuffle (1994)
For the Buzz Jones Big Band’s 1995 European tour and performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.